Ice Hockey UK and the Nationwide Hockey League be a part of forces to launch nationwide programme, introducing road hockey to hundreds of youngsters
The Nationwide Hockey League (NHL) and Ice Hockey UK (IHUK) right this moment introduced a brand new partnership to ship free entry to NHL Road Hockey periods – the League’s ball hockey expertise for youth overseas – for kids ages 5-11 in faculties throughout the UK. Further learn-to-skate periods will likely be out there for members.
The initiative, a part of IHUK’s 2024/-2030 strategic plan, will present enjoyable, accessible and inclusive alternatives for kids to expertise hockey and study elementary expertise of the game, match for newcomers and hockey followers alike. NHL Road Hockey, which has already made an influence globally by constructing stronger hyperlinks between hockey and native communities, removes conventional obstacles to entry by specializing in enjoyable, friendship and health, with no ice rink required.
The pilot programme will launch in six chosen UK cities throughout the 2025/2026 season with the assist of every native membership – Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, Glasgow Clan, Guildford Flames, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers – with plans for growth starting in 2026–2027.
Every collaborating metropolis will work alongside IHUK to implement the programme and can obtain gear offered by the NHL. Members may also be invited to hitch a learn-to-skate programme, connecting road hockey to the ice and making a long-term pathway to ice hockey participation.
NHL Road Hockey, created as an evolution of the NHL STREET ball hockey programme in North America, is designed to fulfill the wants of youth in communities overseas. To this point, NHL Road Hockey operates profitable programmes in Sweden, Finland, Czechia and China. Because the world’s premier skilled ice hockey league, the NHL entertains greater than 670 million followers in arenas and throughout TV and radio every season, and broadcasts video games to greater than 260 nations and territories across the globe, together with the UK.
IHUK CEO, Henry Staelens, stated: “We’re delighted to companion with an organisation of the NHL’s world calibre, and it exhibits the extent of ambition that we’ve got to develop ice hockey within the UK. This partnership will assist us attain each group with this good sport and drive down prices for fogeys. Whether or not youngsters dream of taking part in for Nice Britain, to make it to the NHL or simply need to have enjoyable, NHL Road Hockey opens the door for everybody.”
NHL Deputy Commissioner, Invoice Daly, stated: “We’re thrilled to develop NHL Road Hockey into the UK in collaboration with the IHUK. The NHL has an extended historical past and profitable monitor report of utilizing ball hockey to introduce new followers to the game and assist followers develop of their love for the sport. With continued entry to the sport, we’re dedicated to inspiring the following technology of hockey gamers.”
GB ahead Liam Kirk, the primary participant born and educated in England to be drafted within the NHL, believes the programme can encourage the following technology of hockey expertise within the UK. Kirk, who just lately gained the DEL playoffs in Germany with Eisbären Berlin, stated: “Ice hockey is the fifth-largest spectator sport within the UK, and NHL Road Hockey offers youngsters who love the sport or are model new to it, a chance to expertise taking part in in a enjoyable, supportive setting. It will likely be an incredible addition to the teaching programmes that we’ve got and develop future expertise via the IHUK pathway.”
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